Hammond tailgating crew wins first gumbo cook-off

HAMMOND – A Hammond-based tailgating crew won Southeastern Louisiana University’s first-ever Game Day Gumbo Cook-Off held last Saturday in the university’s Friendship Circle prior to the Lions taking on Nicholls State in the River Bell Classic.

People were invited to sample the gumbos at participating tailgate locations. The winner was determined by votes cast along with a donation to the Lions Athletic Association.

The winning tailgaters were Louis and Shirley Wiginton, Jerry and Lynda Hollimon, Jamie Renton and Sonny and Marion Ruth Chandler. The winning gumbo received over $110 worth of votes. In all, nearly $400 was raised in the event.

“For our first time out with this event, we were very pleased with the participation of the tailgaters as well as the enthusiasm of the fans in voting for their favorite gumbo,” said Erin Moore, executive assistant to Southeastern President Randy Moffett, who coordinated the event. “We anticipate this becoming an annual event that will grow as more tailgaters become involved.”